Catholic school leaders, students mourn passing of Glenn Gennaro

Glenn Gennaro, associate superintendent of The Archdiocese of New Orleans, has died. He was 68.

Mr. Gennaro, a long-time educator and leader of several local Catholic schools, passed away on June 30. Funeral services are set for Monday (July 10).

Mr. Gennaro was a 1966 graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans. He earned a degree in education from the University of New Orleans, and he began his career at Redemptorist High School in New Orleans, the start of a lifelong dedication to education.

Jan Lancaster, former superintendent of Catholic Schools who worked with Mr. Gennaro, said he made the world a better place in many ways, but his true calling was in the ministry of education. "He cared so much for the youth and making a difference in the lives of many," Lancaster said, adding that he "would go the extra mile -- I should say the extra marathon -- to let people know he truly cared."

Gennaro carried McDonald's git cards to hand out to the homeless and those in need, she said, among other giving acts for people he didn't even know.

"His whole commitment in life was just to make the world a better place through action, but all of that was done in the name of his faith," she said.

Mr. Gennaro served as the principal of St. Christopher Elementary School in Metairie before becoming the founding principal of Pope John Paull II High School in Slidell in 1980. Mr. Gennaro eventually left to serve as director of guidance and admissions at Jesuit.